Men's Track & Field

Two Academy Records Broken at ECAC Championships

Mar 05, 2012

The United States Merchant Marine Academy men's track and field team capped off their indoor season competing in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championships this past weekend at the Armory in New York City.

FR Tomas Sanchez (Right) set a new Academy record in the 500m with a time of 1:05.52. This broke the previous mark held by Todd Hoyt '04 who was one of the greatest long sprinters in the history of USMMA. Sanchez finished 6th overall and was named "All-ECAC."

Unfortunately, SR Kevin Young (Left), as well as the rest of his heat, was disqualified from the 500m when all athletes "cut in" after two turns. The official neglected to inform the field the race was a "three turn staggered." This was the first heat of the day and none of the athletes had the benefit of watching other teams compete.

FR Chris Cook (Center) placed 8th overall and was also named "All-ECAC." His distance of 6.82 meters in the long jump broke the Academy record previously held by Adam Polite '06, a multiple-time qualifying NCAA decathlete for the Mariners.

The ECAC Championships featured the top athletes in the region stretching as far north as Maine, as far south as Virginia, and as far west as the western border of Pennsylvania. "I'm very proud of all three of these athletes," said Head Coach Gregory Lott of his team's performance. It is a great accomplishment even to qualify and our athletes represented the Academy very well. It was a great way to end the Indoor Season!"